Morning photography at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville, FL continues to be fabulous with no wind or a SE breeze instead of the forecast wind from the SW. David and Michele Pugsley headed home after their third great morning. It is the best year for chicks in more than two decades. I have room for you in the AirBnB for three nights — beginning on Monday 29 June. If you are nearby and can make it, text me at 863-221-2372 to learn about a practically free IPT. It never hurts to try. <\/p>\n
Saturday past was the very first time that I used the 200-600 with the a-1 ii. And it turned out to be a perfect lens for tern flight (and more) at Huguenot. Scroll down to learn exactly why the 200-600 and the 400-800 are two completely different animals (AKA tools). <\/p>\n
We finally got what we wanted on Sunday afternoon: cloudy bright with a strong wind from the south. And lots of images of the larger chicks jumping into the air and exercising their wings. <\/p>\n
Today is Monday June 2025. Can you believe how the months are rolling by? Vasili and I will be at the beach at 6:00am sharp again when the gates open in hopes of a mega-sunrise. The forecast is for mostly cloudy with a SW breeze at 4-6 mph; not great. We might be spending some time on the low tide sand flats. We are again of course, hoping for SE instead of SW. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com<\/a>. <\/p>\n If an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate — for example, that is available from B&H and\/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and\/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation. <\/p>\n Which of today’s four images is best? Why? Be sure to take a crack at the crop question at image #4.<\/p>\n In the last blog post I felt that Vasili’s Image #2, Royal Tern chick downing jumbo shrimp, was the best by far. Feeding images are nearly impossible for many reasons; this one told a story and getting the chick and the shrimp sharp was pretty much a miracle. Most folks agreed with me. <\/p>\n Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN<\/a>, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.<\/a> If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. <\/p>\n If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on an Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025) in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh mid-March 2026, please e-mail<\/a> for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. All offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here.<\/a> The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks! <\/p>\n Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. But when I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog <\/em><\/strong> or begin their searches with this link<\/a>, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail<\/a> and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts. <\/p>\n Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.<\/p>\n Visit the Bedfords website here<\/a>, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail<\/a>, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.<\/p>\n This image was created on 28 June 2025 at Huguenot Memorial Park, Jacksonville, FL. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f\/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens<\/a> (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 800: 1\/4000 second at f\/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was 1\/6 stop short of perfect. AWB at 7:38:14am on a mostly sunny morning. <\/p>\n Wide\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\nYour Call?<\/h3>\n
In the Last Blog Post<\/h3>\n
Gear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn<\/h3>\n
B&H Simplified<\/h3>\n
B&H<\/h3>\n
Bedfords Simplified<\/h3>\n
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy <\/h3>\n
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\n \n \n \n Image #1: Royal Tern in flat flight with butterfish (?) for chick
\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<\/h2>\n